Second Session of the Preparatory Committee for
the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on
the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

Joint Statement on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education
delivered by H.E. Mr. Sumio Tarui, Ambassador,
Permanent Representative of Japan to the Conference on Disarmament

30 April 2008, Geneva

Mr. Chairman,

On behalf of the eight countries - Egypt, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Poland and Sweden - that have jointly worked to promote disarmament and non-proliferation education since the last NPT review process, as well as on behalf of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Indonesia, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Thailand, the twelve co-sponsor countries of the resolution entitled "United Nations study on disarmament and non-proliferation education" (A/RES/61/73) submitted to the 61st Session of the UN General Assembly, I would like to take the opportunity today to state our views on the importance and future direction of disarmament and non-proliferation education.

Mr. Chairman,

As I mentioned, the group of eight countries has been energetically promoting disarmament and non-proliferation education in the NPT review process through, among other things, the submission of a joint working paper to the 2005 NPT Review Conference. The eight countries also delivered a joint statement in order to reaffirm the importance of disarmament and non-proliferation education at last year's First Session of the NPT Preparatory Committee. This year, moreover, in light of the current review process towards the 2010 NPT Review Conference, the twelve countries have newly joined this initiative.

Mr. Chairman,

As it was stated in the joint statement on disarmament and non-proliferation education delivered to last year's PrepCom, it has become increasingly necessary to raise awareness of disarmament and non-proliferation issues, through educating the public on the dangers of weapons of mass destruction and the tragic consequences of their use, as well as on the steps required to overcome the challenges caused by such weapons. Education is an important means for strengthening disarmament and non-proliferation through stimulating public interest in these issues. We intend to promote disarmament and non-proliferation for future generations by utilizing education more actively.

Mr. Chairman,

As the UN Secretary-General's 2002 report "United Nations study on disarmament and non-proliferation education" points out, it is important in light of the changing concepts of security and threat to nurture new thinking at both the governmental and citizen levels. The objective of such new thinking is to empower individuals to make their contribution, as national and world citizens, to disarmament and non-proliferation by imparting knowledge and skills to them. The Secretary General's report also contains 34 recommendations, the implementation of which was conveyed by the consensus-adopted UNGA Resolution "United Nations study on disarmament and non-proliferation education" (57/60) to Member States, the United Nations and other international organizations, civil society, non-governmental organizations and the media. Those recommendations should be reaffirmed. We encourage each State Party to implement them, particularly in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Sustained efforts to implement the recommendations should be undertaken through the effective utilization of existing resources, and in cooperation with relevant international organizations, research institutions and civil society.

Mr. Chairman,

In addition to each State Party undertaking disarmament and non-proliferation education initiatives, sharing information on the beneficial outcomes of those initiatives and learning from each other's experiences by further raising awareness on the importance of education is desirable. We will report our efforts and progress during the current NPT review process.

Mr. Chairman,

Lastly, we firmly recognize that disarmament and non-proliferation education is significantly important for making progress toward the full implementation of the disarmament and non-proliferation obligations of the NPT. It is for this reason that we call on all States Parties to participate in the efforts on disarmament and non-proliferation education, and we express our hope for further concrete outcomes in this area.

Thank you for your attention.